Entropy

Everything falls apart, as the old saying goes.
We build, we crash
we ally, we disband
we contain, we diverge
we destory, we destroy, we destroy


And not just us, but our mother
She unleashes fury to crack our roads
split the trees
erode the land
and everything fills up with entropy
or dispels entropy
however you want to look at it


things do not stay
they change and move
and wreck
Dilapidated. Withered.

Our bodies grow old
fall apart, wrinkled and diseased.
We sag, gravity wins.
Dry hands, stretched and worn.
Years of work in a grip or a touch.


Nothing created. Nothing lost.
A cycle of dissolution, forever and ever,
Amen.

Spring has sprung. It is good.

Top Ten Albums of 2009: Part II

Here we are, picking up right where we left off. So without further ado, here are my personal top five albums of 2009!

5.) "Heaven & Earth" by Phil Wickham 

Phil Wickham first crossed my radar freshman year of college. I dismissed him as just another Christian singer with an acoustic guitar. Well, since then, his worship-packed songs have truly grown on me, and I can say with confidence that between the free live singalong album released last year and this year's "Heaven & Earth," I am a fan. The production quality is top-notch and his songwriting skills have only improved. The album feels very whole, as well, drawing upon reoccurring themes of the expanse between heaven and earth, how far man has fallen since creation, how Christ crossed the barrier to save us, and just how desperately Wickham wants to get back with God, "naked and unashamed in a sweet downpour of innocent rain" (from Eden). Even the almost-hoedown call to arms of "The Time Is Now" works, while songs don't get much more jubilant than "In Your City."

4.) "Curse Your Branches" by David Bazan 

Switching gears entirely from #5, "Curse Your Branches" is the yearnings of an agnostic singer/songwriter who once lead the Christian alt outfit Pedro the Lion. David Bazan, now an older, more introverted man, husband, and father, has stumbled into a place of faith confusion. He articulates the questions he has for his creator beautifully and unflinchingly, making a first time listener ask themselves, "Did he really just say that?" The album is an unbarred look into a soul searching for something true, something real, amidst a lot of confusion. He takes it out on church leadership, his parents, the creation story, and God Himself on many occasions, not in an angry or upset way, but in a way that is eloquent and quite intelligent. He echos many of my own conundrums of belief with passion and precise musicianship. His vocals and multi-instrument recordings add dense layers to otherwise simple song structures, making "Curse Your Branches" something in and of itself, something entirely true.





3.) "it's all crazy! it's all false! it's all a dream! it's alright" by mewithoutYou

2009 brought my favorite band's fourth full length with "it's all crazy!..." and these Philadelphia natives chose to write with a completely new pen, so to speak. This album is chock full of story driven songs, analogies with fruits and vegetables, and character vignettes from a band trying something very different. Aaron's shout-singing is all but gone, replaced with melodic singing. Even the guitar and drum work is stripped down from previous releases, allowing lesser instruments like shakers, hand drums, and piano take the limelight. Watching mwY progress from album to album has thus far paralleled much of their spiritual transformation too. With the epic scope and denial of self in 2006's "Brother Sister," this new album is full of upbeat songs, more in the vein of praise and recognition of "what a beautiful God there must be" (from Timothy Hay).

2.) "Mean Everything to Nothing" by Manchester Orchestra

I've been reading lots of year end countdowns of albums on various blogs, and it is super lame how "forgetful" many of them are of Manchester Orchestra. MO released an absolutely killer new album, which was praised heavily when it was released, but has since been swept under the rug now that the album has taken off. Well, I'm here to recognize how powerful this record is, how precise and hard, how MO improved in all the best ways from their previous work in 2006. Every single song is a piece of rock songwriting mastery, catchy hooks, splashy drums, perfected breakdowns, harmonized guitar work, and vocals ranging from snarls and screams to whispers and whimpers. Andy Hull and co. deserve all the accolades and fame coming their way, pretentious "we-heard-them-first" naysayers be stricken.

1.) "Build Me This" by Joshua James

I do not recall the last time an album fully enthralled me, encapsulated a season in my life, or spoke words I wish I could say the way "Build Me This" has done for me this year, making it sit atop the rest as the BEST album of 2009. I cannot say enough good things about James and this record. It is joyful, tragic, jubilant, depressing, heavy, light, full-on, and reserved in ways that stir my soul. It is musical therapy to my innermost being and thoughts. The passion that James writes with is something I haven't heard in a long time, and his voice swells and cracks over elegant folk guitar, organ, and piano. The album pulls from backgrounds in traditional folk, hints of country, and gospel, meshing them together into a soulful and spiritual amalgamate. Listen to Joshua James, and go support this band! I cannot wait to see him in concert. I hear he puts on one heck of a show!

DOWNLOAD (One song from each album)



Well that's all folks! Here is to a joyful and musical 2010! Cheers.

Top Ten Albums of 2009: Part I

For me, 2009 brought a much expanded palette and appreciation for mellower music, folk, acoustic, indie, and Americana with a twinge of country or gospel. These trends reflect highly in my countdown of the Top Ten Albums of 2009. To me, 2009 beats out 2008 hands down, and I think many of these albums will stick with me my whole life long, as they defined some pivotal moments in my life this year. I hope you enjoy the list. Give these artists a try, and I'm sure you won't go wrong. 

First, let's start off with the albums were that good showings and in heavy rotation for me this year but just didn't crack the top ten...

"Dumpster Generation" by A Billion Ernies

After many years of trying to see these guys live, I finally had the chance, and it was rocking and loud. The pride of Hemet, CA, ABE infuses ska and reggae with metal and hardcore. Not to mention, they are just a great group of down-to-earth guys.

"Be Set Free" by Langhorne Slim

A fun third showing by a great singer/songwriter. With catchy hooks, endearing lyrics of love and lost love, and smooth vocals, many songs standout and make this Langhorne Slim's best album to date, and most likely to be his breakout record.

"I and Love and You" by The Avett Brothers

Another album that garnered much attention and a bigger fanbase, finally breaking The Avett Brothers into the spotlight. Without leaving their country folk roots, these guys wrote and record a strong set of songs for their first major label debut.

"Sigh No More" by Mumford & Sons 
More folk music that I latched onto this year, Mumford & Sons is rocking one moment and melancholy the next.  The album was released in October of this year, but I didn't hear it until late November. I thoroughly expect to see them fill up venues throughout 2010.

"Church Music" by David Crowder Band

After their rather humdrum previous release "Remedy," I was worried about DCB. However, my fears were quelled with "Church Music." Despite the extreme shift in musical direction (much more synth and techno electronics here), the catchy worship songs shine, and are anchored by two fantastic cover songs of Flyleaf and John Mark McMillan.

And NOW, on to the main event!

10.) "This Empty Northern Hemisphere" by Gregory Alan Isakov

If you click the album cover to see it bigger, you will be able to see how this album sounds. The  man with the old fashioned telephone, the crinkled golden moon, the perfect star-filled night sky. The album is an escape into a time away from the busyness and fast pace of life and technology nowadays. The songs are painted pictures, sung delicately and orchestrated peacefully. Isakov teams up with Brandi Carlile for backing vocals on several tracks, including the romantic and lonely "That Moon Song." Lush with beautiful guitar work, a calm lyrical delivery, and overlaid occasionally with strings, "This Empty Northern Hemisphere" is a work of art through and through. Don't miss this 2009 gem if you need some calm and beautiful songwriting in your life.

9.) "Daisy" by Brand New 

I was fully prepared to be let down by this album. I think their 2006 album "The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me" is near perfect, so how could they follow it? Well, let me start by saying that "Daisy" does not trump its predecessor. However, it is still a wonderfully dense and difficult album to understand while being easy to love. These New Jersey fellas get weirder and more complex with every recording, and "Daisy" is heavier and harsher than anything they've done. The album's analogies of beds, trees, and burning are dark, and I bet they lost a lot of fans this year from Jesse's new found screams. But I have all the more respect for them. The intensity of songs like "Vices," "In a Jar," and "Gasoline" will throw you for a auditory loop, and you'll be wondering where the pop-punk "Jude Law..." days went (without missing them at all).

8.) "Animals in the Dark" by William Elliott Whitmore

William Elliott Whitmore is an old southern gentleman in a young body. This young 30s Iowan sings with a gruff passion, like he has a handle of Jack Daniels in one hand and a cigarette in the other. (I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case!) Nevertheless, this album seethes and boils over with soul. The opener "Mutiny" starts with Whitmore and some friends shouting over a single driving snare drum, and you know you're going to have a good time. The earnestness in Whitmore's voice throughout the desperate "Who Stole the Soul" or the uplifting "There's Hope for You" will sweep over your body and bring you comfort. There are playful banjo tunes to tie all the fun and folk together nicely. I cannot wait until Whitmore comes through town so I can sing along to these tasty jams.

7.) "Where the Wild Things Are (Motion Picture Soundtrack)" by Karen O and the Kids

As if Spike Jonze's wonderful adaptation to the book was not enough, the splashy indie soundtrack that highlighted the film was the icing on the cake for me. Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs shines on the soundtrack, making it a joyful romp through the mind of a child, as if she was able to channel little Max from the story. The fact that many of the songs include groups of actual kids singing and shouting background vocals makes it all the more real and, dare I say, cute. All smiles and giggles aside, the album also encompasses some of the more fearful or lonely moments of being a kid, highlighted on the frenzied "Animal" or the heart wrenching cover of Daniel Johnston's "Worried Shoes." Absolutely wonderful.

 6.) "Aim and Ignite" by fun.

fun. (funky lower-case and punctuation on purpose) is an indie pop super group, if there ever was one. Take the best parts from Anathallo, The Format, and Steel Train, mix it all together and you get a theatrical piece of musicianship, pushing the limits of contemporary pop music. With all three members being extremely talented, two of whom are master multi-instrumentalists, you get a album full of songs that only the band name itself can describe, fun! Many songs sound like they could come straight out of a musical, with classical breakdowns with cleverly written horn, string, and organ parts, frequently disregarding the guitar and drum of pop rock. Being their first full length release, I expect a long career ahead for these gents. When you spin this record, don't hesitate to get up and dance.

Download (One song from each album)

Songs for Christmas

I have nothing new to add to last year's post about what Christmas means to me. I won't be another voice in the never ending discourse on the political correctness of this time of year or anything menial or silly like that. I'm just going to celebrate, remember, and worship my Savior, who with this holiday we remember His coming to earth. Here are some Christmas songs you may or may not like.

1.) O Holy Night - Anathallo

2.) Christmastime is Here - Belle and Sebastian

3.) Frosty the Snowman - A Billion Ernies

4.) Silver Bells - Bright Eyes

5.) Go Tell It On The Mountain - Desert Noises

6.) Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Gary Hoey

7.) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - James Taylor

8.) O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Joshua James

9.) Punk Rawk Christmas - MXPX

10.) Oi to the World - No Doubt

11.) 12 Days of Christmas - Relient K

12.) Joy to the World - Sojourn

13.) I Saw Three Ships - Sufjan Stevens

14.) The Christmas Song - Vince Guaraldi Trio

15.) Wonderful - Watashi Wa

(Download here!)

Cheers.

Building words

This fluorescent-lit room holds the key to enlightenment. You wouldn’t expect it, considering the monotony of the eggshell white walls, the repetitious shelving, and the boxed-in feel. An introvert’s paradise and a claustrophobe’s nightmare. The dull appearance does not aspire to greatness and wouldn’t prompt any thinker to creativity. The rows upon rows of talking heads would suggest a life beyond their humidity-controlled cage.

Millions of ideas, the brainchildren of humanity. Thinkers from ancient times and yesterday, side by side, bringing their thoughts and experiences into neatly bound ink and paper.

Letter follows letter, forming word after word, into sentences, into paragraphs and chapters, arguments, settings, plot, facts. They bring the world to form, a nebulous existence into concrete meaning.

The triumphs and mistakes of our fathers are chronicled in their own words. They aren’t static or stagnant, but active and dynamic. We struggle the same, through politics, enlightenment, bigotry, sacrifice, and love.

We can build our own words and thoughts; put them together like they taught us. We add to the vast realm of knowledge, knowing one day down the road, someone will find solidarity with a likeminded soul, just as we are now.

The history and future of the world are within these walls, nestled in an orderly and precise row, given number and location, rank and file, between their friends of similar topic and ideal. May we learn from them as not to repeat ourselves. I would hate for man to be a broken record.

Coffeehouse

I played at a coffeehouse on campus a few days ago. I think I'm ready to do that type of thing more often. I hope I can find the opportunities to do it. It is scary, but it beats playing alone in my room all the time.

These are the songs I played. All of which I wish I could have written.

That Moon Song - Gregory Alan Isakov
Hard to Be - David Bazan
How He Love - John Mark McMillan

Download

Cheers.